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Narrative Self-Transcendence: Decreased Regret and Increased Acceptance Over Late Midlife
Hollen N Reischer1,2, Nathan G Couch2, Mya N Wright2
1Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.
Journal of Personality
|March 24, 2025
Summary
Self-transcendence, a measure of connectedness, increased in life story narratives during late midlife, particularly between ages 60-65. This suggests growing self-acceptance and life satisfaction in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Gerontology
- Sociology
Background:
- Self-transcendence, encompassing connectedness within and beyond the self, is theorized to increase with age, yet empirical evidence remains mixed.
- This longitudinal study uniquely examines changes in self-transcendence during late midlife through the lens of life story narratives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally investigate the developmental trajectory of self-transcendence in late midlife.
- To explore whether narrative identity, through life story analysis, reflects changes in self-transcendence not captured by self-report measures.
- To examine potential variations in these trajectories across different demographic groups.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal tracking of self-reported and narrative identity self-transcendence scores in 163 participants.
- Data collection occurred as participants aged from approximately 56 to 64 years.
- Participant demographics included a majority of women, with significant representation of Black and White individuals, and a median income and education level indicating socioeconomic stability.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in narrative themes of closure and self-actualization was observed over time, particularly between ages 60 and 65.
- Self-reported self-transcendence scores did not show significant changes over the study period.
- Distinct trajectories of self-transcendence were identified across different race-by-gender groups, indicating non-uniform developmental patterns.
Conclusions:
- Late midlife presents opportunities for enhanced self-transcendence, characterized by increased self-acceptance and life satisfaction.
- The study provides robust empirical support for positive psychological changes occurring in late midlife.
- Life story narrative methods effectively capture complex personality constructs, revealing positive shifts in self-perception and reduced regret among Black and White adults during this life stage.
Keywords:
ego integritymidlifemixed methodsnarrative identityregretself‐actualizationself‐transcendenceMore Related Videos
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